It is February 12.India will soon join a handful list of countries that provides better facilities for persons with disabilities.The Tithal beach in Gujarat`s Valsad district will become the nation`s first disabled friendly beach.As part of the facilities, it will have disabled-friendly food courts, washrooms & entertainment area for a 1 km stretch.For your reference, here is the current affairs capsule update for February 12, 2016

National News:

The Tithal beach in Valsad district,Gujarat is to become the 1st disabled-friendly beach in India.

India & United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed 9 bilateral agreements for cooperation in various sectors.

A smart card scheme benefitting over 40 crore unorganised workers in India to provide them with various social security benefits like insurance and pension, will soon be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Indian Railway signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chhattisgarh Government to form a joint venture for laying tracks in the state.

In Uttar Pradesh, the new land Revenue Act shall become effective from February 11, 2016.

International News:

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum has appointed 8 women ministers to the newly created portfolios of happiness and tolerance, and youth affairs.

A study of 2,000-year-old skeletons in two Roman cemeteries has revealed that some migrants were likely from North Africa & the Alps.

New Appointments:

Tamar Hahn, Israel has been appointed as Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Buenos Aires by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Davinder Singh,a top Indian origin lawyer in Singapore has been named as vice-chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce Commission, Paris.

Awards:

FC Kohli, former Vice-Chairman of Tata Consultancy Services, has been chosen for the EY Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution towards the Indian software industry and nation-building.

Sports:

The Indian contingent has so far won 237 medals, including 139 gold, 78 silver and 20 bronze in the 12th South Asian Games.

Science & Technology:

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) shall launch the Cryogenic mark- III based GSLV satellite launch vehicle during December 2016.

Scientists have detected the existence of gravitational waves, which were predicted by Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity 100 years ago.These gravitational waves were produced during the final fraction of a second of the merger of two black holes to produce a single, more massive spinning black hole.

Obituaries:

Anato liIlyin,the scorer of the first ever UEFA European Championship passed away in Moscow.

Banking & Economy:

Amazon, the ecommerce company has invested in Westland, a Trent Ltd subsidiary (Tata Group) in support of its publishing business.

India's 3rd largest software exporter, Wipro has made an announcement to buy ‘Health Plan Service’ business in the US for $460 million (Rs.3,150crore).

Reserve Bank of India has asked those who have declared unaccounted overseas assets under the black money law must file application with its central office within 180 days for regularization of declared wealth.

Shaktikanta Das, Economic affairs secretary said the small savings rates will be revised in a day or two by the government.